Belfast man pleads guilty to kicking Polish neighbour's dog

A Belfast man will be sentenced next month for attacking a Polish neighbour's dog as part of a suspected hate crime

A BELFAST man will be sentenced next month for attacking a Polish neighbour's dog as part of a suspected hate crime.

Stuart Morrison (30) also admitted assaulting the foreign national and issuing a threat to destroy his home.

The offences were committed on the street close to Morrison's Bloomfield Parade home on May 14.

He was set to contest the allegations against him at Belfast Magistrates' Court today but instead changed his plea to guilty on charges of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal, threats to damage property and common assault.

Morrison also admitted using disorderly behaviour at Bloomfield Gardens and resisting police.

He is alleged to have kicked the dog as she lay in the street and shouted that he would burn down the home of its owner.

In court defence solicitor Dennis Boyd said: "My client has taken a responsible attitude to the case."

No further details of the incident were disclosed.

However, a Public Prosecution Service lawyer contended that the victim's nationality was a factor in the offences.

Ordering a full report, District Judge Fiona Bagnall confirmed: "The prosecution are making them out to be hate crimes."

She released Morrison on continuing bail to return for sentencing on August 23.